268 



BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS 



CHAP. 



cultivated either for food or for ornamental purposes. The following 

 are of service to man : 



Sunflower (Helianthus annuus\ cultivated for its seeds, which yield 

 a valuable oil. 



Jerusalem Artichoke (H. tuberosus\ cultivated for its tubers. It only 

 flowers in the United Kingdom during very hot summers. 



Garden Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthenmtn indicum}, cultivated for 

 its beautiful flowers. 



Chicory (Cichorium intybus], useful for its roots, which are dried in 

 kilns, roasted, ground, and mixed with coffee. 



Lettuce (Lactuca). Its leaves are used for salad. 



Other Composite which are Cultivated in Gardens. 



Cineraria. Chamomiles. 



Helichrysum. Daisy. 



Gaillardia. Dahlia. 



Calliopsis. Senecio. 



Natural Order: Primulaceee (Primrose Family). The 

 plants of this order are herbs with radical leaves. The flowers 

 are actinomorphic and showy. The calyx 



is gamosepalous, 5 lobed, and inferior. The 

 corolla consists of 5 petals, which are gamo- 

 sepalous and hypogynous. The five stamens 

 face the lobes of the corolla, and are epi- 

 petalous. The pistil is syncarpous, has five 

 carpels, and is superior. The ovules are 

 numerous, and free central placentation oc- 

 curs. The style is simple, and stigma capi- 

 tate. The fruit is a capsule. 



Floral formula.-\^\ [C(5),As,]G(5). 

 Description of a Typical Plant of Primulacese (Pri- 

 mula vulgaris, Primrose). 



Habit. A herbaceous perennial plant with radical leaves and 

 showy flowers. 



Root. Fibrous, forming a dense mass. 

 Stem. A stout erect rhizome. 



Leaves. Radical, simple, spathulate, reticulate-veined; margin 

 crimped ; dark green above and light green below ; exstipulate. 

 Inflorescence. Definite, solitary. 



Flower. Complete, actinomorphic, tubular ; i inch in dia- 

 meter ; dimorphic pale yellow, and sweet scented. 



Calyx. Gamosepalous, 5 lobed, inferior, apex of lobes acute, 

 ridged, green and hairy. 



FIG. 257. Floral 

 Diagram. 



